Schilling Test: What To Think About

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What To Think About

• A person whose body does not have enough vitamin B12 but who has normal results from a Schilling test may have a diet lacking this B vitamin. A vitamin B12 blood test is done to evaluate the level of vitamin B12 level in the body. For more information, see the medical test Vitamin B12.
• Pernicious anemia is an autoimmune disease that is caused by a lack of intrinsic factor because the body has made antibodies to it. Intrinsic factor is a substance needed to absorb vitamin B12 from the intestines. Therapy for pernicious anemia involves regular shots of vitamin B12. People with pernicious anemia have an increased risk for developing stomach cancer and should be closely monitored by their health professionals.
• The Schilling test may not be used very much. A test for methylmalonic acid (MMA) and homocysteine may be used by most health professionals.

Last updated:	February 08, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Brian Leber, MDCM, FRCPC - Hematology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer